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Factory Five Racing is developing a mid-engine, RWD roadster that will use a WRX donor for it's running gear. The car is expected to be about 1800 pounds and have a removable top. The kit price is targeted to be $9,900, plus a donor WRX. See the link for more info: FFR WRX Roadster

Factory Five Racing is the number one seller of Cobra kits, as well as a few other awesome kits.

The base dimensions, running gear, and chassis/suspensions work has been determined. The body shape of this two-seater, mid-engined roadster is not finalized and we have decided, in conjunction with Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, to sponsor a body design competition open to the public and hosted by Grassroots Motorsports Magazine. Full details on this competition will be released shortly and submissions dates begin March 1st. Full details will be released on our website shortly.

Here's my submission

I wonder what they'll use for a transmission if it's going to be rwd...

I wonder what they'll use for a transmission if it's going to be rwd...

Couldn't they just use the front half of the WRX powertrain (i.e., remove the back shaft)? I assume so since they're calling it a one-donor car...though it will be interesting to see how they swap the steering components, etc. around.

I'll be impressed if they can keep the price near the target. Time to find some WRX engine and trans dimensions and start rendering some ideas if it's going to be a community project...Wonder if they'll retain the top-mount or use something else (air-to-water, etc.)?

The original "Single Donor" Cobra was an ingenious idea that allowed Factory Five to grow into the company it is today.

I hope this works out just as well for them. I'll be very interested in seeing how the exterior design evolves.

Depending on how much of the donor WRX is used, and if it's designed for a sedan or wagon, or both, it will theoretically be possible to use any Legacy through '99, any Impreza through '07, or even the Forester thru '08 as the donor car.

I'm no lawyer, but the reasons all the Cobra replicas were possible were of a legal nature:
-The Cobra itself was an AC Ace (British car) modified in America with an American engine. This is a complicated origin from a legal standpoint, I think, as far as who ends up claiming OEM of the car, since AC I think was on its way out at the time anyway.
-Once Shelby established his work with the Cobra, I don't think that from a legal standpoint he pursued the replica makers "strong enough" for several decades. He began pursuing them strong enough only in the last decade and legally, if you can't prove you were battling in court "strong enough", you somewhat lose your right to your brand.

A lawyer will probably write the above much better than this engineer can..
Anyway, the same situation will not happen with established companies like Daimler Benz, Alfa Romeo S.P.A (of FIAT Auto, BTW), Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
These people could unleash such a legal battlestorm if a Factory Five replica of one of their beloved classics appears..... forgetaboutit.

I'm not so sure about Marcos and DeLorean, that may work, especially if the body itself is only an evolution of the original body.

Lancia was at one point going to be wound down by FIAT Auto.
I think this is why the Czech guy that wants to start making Stratos evolved replicas was able to start working towards this.
I wonder if he's going to be pursued legally by the Italian Styling House that styled the Stratos in the first place, even if FIAT will leave him alone.
I want to say that the Stratos was a Bertone.

Lancia was at one point going to be wound down by FIAT Auto.
I think this is why the Czech guy that wants to start making Stratos evolved replicas was able to start working towards this.
I wonder if he's going to be pursued legally by the Italian Styling House that styled the Stratos in the first place, even if FIAT will leave him alone.
I want to say that the Stratos was a Bertone.

Actually, Lancia let the trademark lapse. Bertone called up Hrabalek, the Czech guy who was a Stratos collector and 16 at the time, and asked if he knew who owned the rights to the name. He looked into it and found out that nobody owned it so he bought the copyright. So he owns it now which is why he was able to make the new Stratos.

I want the original Lancia Stratos... even if it's in replica form. I look into the company that built the one that they had on Top Gear but it uses a lot of different parts from older Fiats, Lancias, and Alfas which would be a PITA to source in the US. There needs to be a cheaper, easier alternative than that

I want the original Lancia Stratos... even if it's in replica form. I look into the company that built the one that they had on Top Gear but it uses a lot of different parts from older Fiats, Lancias, and Alfas which would be a PITA to source in the US. There needs to be a cheaper, easier alternative than that